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What’s In A Mattress – Understanding What Your Mattress Is Made Of

Your mattress is probably the most important piece of furniture that you own. You spend more time on your mattress than any other piece of furniture. Understanding what your mattress is made of is important to make sure that you choose the right mattress. After all…it’s what’s inside that really counts.

Mattress Frame
What is the most basic component of a mattress set? The mattress frame. Only choose those bed frames that are made of strong wood, metal or both. You can get an adjustable frame that fits a twin bed, a queen sized bed or a king bed. If you use casters with your bed frame, the casters should be at least two inches wide and have a high weight capacity rating. In order to choose the right mattress set, you need to start with the basics. Choose a good quality mattress frame.

Box Spring Mattress/Foundation
It is important to choose the right foundation for your primary mattress. Whether you choose a box spring or a foundation, make sure it is high quality. Box spring mattresses are more popular but foundations are increasing in popularity.

Bedding manufacturers recommend buying a box spring that coordinates with the top mattress you buy. You don’t HAVE to do this, but it may make a huge difference in the quality of sleep you get. What makes up a good quality box spring? Well, it should have a wooden frame with a strong coil system. It is typically more stiff around the edges, with more ‘give’ in the middle (this give makes room for comfort).

Top Mattress
When deciding on what type of mattress to get, you may only be concerned with the top mattress. This mattress can be filled with air, water, memory foam, steel coils, latex, etc. This mattress is the most important part of your mattress system.

Whatever mattress you choose, it needs to have the correct support system for your body, especially your spine. Your mattress should align the spine while you sleep. Memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses offer the best support system for your spine and can increase your quality of sleep drastically.

Mattress Padding
Some people don’t consider what type of mattress padding a mattress has. But, this is another important mattress feature. It is the uppermost layer of the mattress and is there to offer an additional layer of comfort. Mattress padding can be made of wool, foam or cotton. A firm mattress has the least amount of padding. A pillow-top mattress has the most padding.

It is important to know and understand the different components of a mattress system to make sure you get the best mattress you can. It’s what’s inside the mattress that will make or break the quality of sleep that you get.

What is the Best Mattresses? – Is Memory Foam Mattress, Air, Latex, Water Or Innerspring Better?

OK, here’s the deal. No one can tell you what type of mattress is going to work best for you. However, we can tell you what other customers have said. We can also help you understand the difference between each type of mattress. Understanding these can help you make the best decision as to what mattress is going to be your best choice. Here goes…

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses represent over 80 percent of the market. These mattresses have coils inside them that offer support. The coils are covered by any kind of upholstery. Although these mattresses represent the majority of the market share, they don’t get very good customer reviews. Only 58 percent of customers said that their innerspring mattresses are comfortable.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses have been growing in popularity since the mid 1990′s. These mattresses are popular because of their conforming ability. Memory foam mattresses use your body’s temperature to warm up the material and allow it to mold to any shape that you are in. These mattresses are also popular with couples because of the lack of motion transfer. Your spouse can get up in the middle of the night and you won’t even notice. Eighty percent of customers agree that these mattresses are extremely comfortable.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses have actually been around for quite some time. However, they are gaining popularity so many people think that latex mattresses have just been invented. Latex mattresses offer the same comfort, support and durability that memory foam mattresses offer. However, they are less conforming and have a faster “recovery” time. This makes the mattress less “hot.” It also allows you to change positions faster. This is the most popular type of mattress according to customer satisfaction. Eight-eight percent of customers said that they would never use any other type of mattress.

Air Mattresses

Air mattresses look very similar to innerspring mattresses. Rather than using coils, air mattresses use air. These mattresses are popular because you can adjust the amount of air in the mattresses to raise or lower the firmness. Some air mattresses actually have one air pocket on each side of the mattress. This allows each person to adjust their side of the bed to the setting that they prefer. Customers were satisfied with air mattresses eight percent of the time.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds were extremely popular in the 1970s. They aren’t as popular these days, but they do continue to improve. Waterbed technology has drastically improved over the years. Waterbeds use liquid, rather than coils, for support. Waterbed technology has increased the benefits to using liquid for support while almost eliminating the drawbacks. Customers said that these water mattresses were comfortable approximately 70 percent of the time.

Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds are those beds in which can bend into other positions. These beds are popular among back pain patients. Adjustable beds are also appreciated by people that enjoy sitting up in bed. This is because they can sit up in bed and be completely and comfortably supported.

Dual-Purpose Beds
Traditionally, dual-purpose beds have not had the level of comfort as other types of mattresses. These beds serve two purposes. Most of the time, these beds are also a sofa. Futons and sofa beds require special types of mattresses due to their need to fold and collapse. These mattresses are becoming more comfortable but still are not rated as well as other types of mattresses.

Is there really the “best” type of mattress? Keep in mind that everyone is different. One person may prefer an innerspring mattress while someone else wants a latex mattress. Money is often the biggest factor when choosing a mattress. Innerspring mattresses are the least expensive. Latex mattresses and waterbeds are generally the most expensive types of mattresses. If money wasn’t an option, would you really choose the mattress that you are sleeping on? According to customer reviews, latex mattresses are the “best” type of mattress out there. They offer excellent comfort, support, and durability. They are also hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and dust mite resistant. Really the only downside to latex mattresses is their price. Latex mattresses are more expensive, but customers around the country swear that they are the best mattress on the market today.

Time Magazine did an article back in 2006 for the best inventions, one of them being the floating air mattress. I want one. Really bad. BUT, I want it to be a memory foam mattress. Then, not only would you have the coolest bed in town, you’d also have the most comfortable.

Price Tag: a cool 1.5 million.

How is your back shaped? Like a coiled tube of metal? Neither is mine!! So why do you sleep on it every night??

All your mattress is made up of is the picture above, and a thin layer of cloth. Does that sound comfortable?